Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-12-27
GUARDING THE MAILS.
"o curious Cases of Dishonesty Unearthed
by Post-Ohice Inspector.


curious Gases Of Dishonesty Unearthed
by n Post-Ohice Inspector.
In a recent conversation with a vet
eran post-ofiice inspector / learned
some very interesting things about the
guarding OF the United States mails.
!" he worst case ever had" said
the inspector, "was in country Office
In Pennsylvania. Letters had been
stolen on certain hack route. OBJ
tanned broad-brimmed hat and an
nounced that had come into the neiob-
borhood to buy cattle. l sent decoy
letters and kept close watch of all the
Offices. At length had things pretty
well centered on single office. 1t was
Kept by an old German who was noted
Tor his honesty. His deputy was his
elghteen-year-old daughter, a beautiful
girl, who was engaged to be married to
a rich farmerin the neighborhood. NV
suspicious were fastened upon this girl.
waited in the neighborhood for week
in order to make a trial when the old
people were away from home. At
length they left town for the day, and
the office was in the hands of the
daughter. l dropped decoy letter
into the bag just before it came into
the office, and examining the mail after
1t left the office found that it had been
taken. waited till no one was pres
ent except the deputy postmistress, and
then, deliberately locking the door, l
stepped behind the cases and said in a
deep, sepulchral voice:
al want the letter which you took
from the bag to-day
"She went INTO violent fit of hys-
terics. She tore her beautiful hair and
wept copiously. l stood calmly before
her, looking as much as possible like a
Nemesis. At length she stopped short,
and, throwing her arms around my
neck, she piteously besought me:
80 You won't send me to State-prison,
will you, my dear, good man. Please
don't
"'That will depend upon whether
you will tell me every thing about this
case said |.
"I'll tell you every thing. / have
taken the letters, every one of them.
Father is not to blame and his heart
will be broken. couldn't get any
thing decent to wear, and thought
had to have money, SO took the let
tiers. Oh, mister, you won't send me
to State prison, will you? I am engaged
to be married. Oh, dear-boohoo
what shall do?''
81 told her that would do the best
could, and perhaps it might be fixet
up without her going to prison.
"When the postmaster and his wife
returned they Immediately saw thai
something had happened. They at frs
believed that l had injured their daugh
ter in some way, and were disposed tt
attack me. But the young lady wa:
fast to explain:
"'This is the best man that eve
lived. He has saved me-
THAT was more unintelligible thar
ever to the old people. But at length
all was explained and understood
Under the circumstances | decided no
to arrest the girl. could see no goot
that would come of it, and much evil
| made the old gentleman promis'
that she should never again touch tn,
mails. A few months later she wa
married, and is now the mother o
several children and is much respectc,
in the neighborhood.
"About the funniest case ever ha,
any thing to do WITH" the inspecto
continued, twas that of country ed
itor."
"Relate it." said I, still interested.
"Well, there were some circulars pu
in my hand which read as follows:
GRERNBACKs! GREENBACKsl
will furnish money as good as genuine 70
ten per cent. of face value. Send one dola
for sample lot. Strictly confidential.
JOHN ADAMS.
u saw Immediately that the cireula
was printed in a country office, and
knew there was only one office in tn
vicinity. knew this printer well, am
had not the least suspicion that he ha
any thing to do with getting up the ell
culars. decided to call on him. as
self sure he might be able to help OF
the case. | accordingly visited tn
printer, and showing him the circular
inquired:
"'Can you throw any light on that
"Tll tell you how that was" sal
the editor visibly confused. That wa
all joke
"'Please explain the joke, said 1.
"'Weu, now, let me say that no on
hates counterfeiters SO badly as dc
| simply detest any thing of the kline
don't think there is anybody thu
hates lying so badly as do, either.
wouldn't lie for any thing in the worlc
Now, printed these circulars and dc
cided to send them out and see if